By This Time Tomorrow, I'll be at the Airport!

Okay, I pretty much packed everything last night, but now I think I may have overpacked. I definitely don't need 2 pairs of jeans and a pair of capri pants. I think I can get away with 1 pair of jeans and my capris since I am wearing jeans on the plane. And I think I've packed something like 7 shirts...what?? If I'm this well packed then I'll have no excuse to buy any new clothes when we're shopping. So I'll do a little reevaluating tonight. :) Do you think I still need to bring my swimsuit?

I Really Should Be Packing

I got Doug all packed tonight. Yes, that's right, I did it. He made me pack his suitcase because he claimed that the wouldn't do a very good job. Whatever. I still haven't packed my suitcase. Why not, you ask? Well, I don't really have a good reason. I just haven't. I'm going to go do that as soon as I'm done here...maybe. :) Anyhow, I think we need to make this on Sunday. It is apparently really, really good and I'm bringing the recipe with me. If we don't make it at least you'll have the recipe for future reference. Okay, I'll go pack now!

Two Things

1. I don't have any pickles and now I want some! :(

2. I found the post you were telling me about and you were right, it is dead on.


That is all. I'm going to bed now.

Itinerary

I emailed you my flight itinerary. Let me know if you didn't get it.

5 Days Left!

Okay, so last night Doug said we were each taking $200 out of savings for our trips. So maybe by the time we're ready to leave I'll have him talked into at least $250. :) I've got some spending room on my CC and I might try to get my limit increased before I go. Do you have a Penney's? Should I bring my CC for there?

I've been thinking about things to do while I am there and I was thinking about the crop thing. As much as I would love to go, I don't think I should be going to an event like this. I know how that goes with the whole try it and buy it thing. I'll end up loving everything I try and buying too much and be out of money the first night I'm there! I still want to go to the store though. I have to see what all the hype is about and I'm still up for scrapbooking if you want to do it at your house or something.

BTW, I told Doug that my vacation was going to be more fun than his. I know this is true because I already know what it's like just hanging out with you & Josh. I think Doug is in for it hanging out with Ronnie & Corey. Corey's not going to let them go off and do anything and if she does she'll be calling every half hour. Thank goodness, Josh isn't like that. Plus, we're actually going to go do things. Doug & Ronnie plan on drinking lots of beer and playing video games. Madden '07 came out this week. I suppose that will be fun for them. Oh well, to each his own, I guess.

I got a book to read on the plane. I decided just to check it out. We got new paperbacks in yesterday so I had my pick. It's not too long so I may need to stop at a bookstore before I leave to get something to read on the way home. Like you'll mind going to a bookstore!

Okay, I'm at work so I really should attempt to do something work related. I've also got to start making my list of what I'm wearing so I can make sure I don't wear it next week. :) See you soon!

My Kitchen is Almost Functional Again!

I painted tonight. I wasn't going to do it until tomorrow, but Doug was hassling me about it, so I just went ahead and decided to do it. It's not totally finished. There's still a section above the cabinets for Doug to do that I just can't reach, and probably a few spots to touch up when I see it in the light of day. I would say that the majority of it is finished though. I'm really happy with the color I picked. I'd show you a picture, but in the picture it pretty much just looks white. I'm sure there is some sort of setting I could use on my camera to make it not turn out that way, but I don't know what that is. If you want to see the color, you'll just have to come over in person or take my word for it. It sort of ended up being a light khaki color. Neutral enough to go with whatever, but not totally boring. Once the kitchen is actually put back together, I'll take some pictures and post them. I also would like to go and get a new kitchen table now. Doug & I picked one out a few months ago at the furniture store at the mall and we went and looked at it again tonight. We still really like it, but it is $339. Not quite in our budget at the moment. Maybe one day...
Okay, one room down, just 5 more to go (upstairs, anyway). I don't know what to do downstairs and I think I'm just going to let Doug worry about that for now. Okay, now I'm tired. Time to go lay in bed and watch Food Network. :)

Something other than dishes...

Here's a picture for you since you told me you like picture posts.

Me & Tess. I actually took this myself last night. Got it on the first try and everything. I tried to take more, but my camera wasn't cooperating and then Tess wasn't.

More Dishes!

I love these!!! They are on sale until the 2nd of October. I really really want them.

Too Cute!

I was looking at dishes again...I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to get any. It's like a sickness, I swear. Anyhow, I found these that would go so well with the shadowbox things I got and then there are these that I love just because. It would be hard to have to choose, that is for sure.

And I know you are set on Fiestaware for your kitchen, but are these not gorgeous dishes?? These would be nice in your kitchen too, I think.

I love these and these. These are also very cute!

Okay, I really have to stop now. I've got to eat my lunch and get ready for work.

Wallpaper Hell

I posted about all the fun I had in the kitchen here.

New Perfume

Someone sent an email around a little bit ago about a new perfume they heard about on Nightline called "In The Library". I'm a little bit tempted to order a sample.

More on Fiestaware

Amanda & I went to Dillard's tonight to see the colors live and in person. Wow...what a difference. She was convinced the cinnabar was brown and it most definitely is not. And we didn't like the shamrock or the tangerine...ick. She didn't like the persimmon, but I did. Actually, it's one of the colors I'd use. If I were going to buy the dishes (which I'm not, I'm going to use what I have) I would buy sunflower, cobalt, cinnabar & persimmon. But like I said, I'm not buying new dishes. I did buy a a utensil holder at Target tonight though. Wanna see a picture??

Doesn't that look perfect with the canister? And they have a bunch of other matching pieces. A paper towel holder, napkin holder, spoon rest, trivets, & cookbook stand. They also had it in red, white, & black. It is metal, btw. Very heavy. I couldn't find it online, otherwise I'd send you a link. You'll just have to go to Target & look for yourself, I guess. :)

Anyhow, I better get to bed soon. I used some lavendar lotion a little bit ago and I actually think it is really making me sleepy.

Fiestaware

How about something like this? Wouldn't that work in my kitchen? I wouldn't want that exact set, because I don't really like the glasses and I definitely don't need any more flatware, but those colors are good. It doesn't have the green that is in my canisters, but I didn't like that green anyway. It was kind of icky. Besides I still have plenty of green going on in the kitchen. :) I shouldn't be in any big hurry to buy plates and stuff anyway because what I have already works with the cannisters. But I could still get some accessories, right? The more I look at the Fiestaware, the more I really like the cinnabar color. I almost wish I had seen that before, but I already bought stuff to decorate with, so I better stick with it. I just need to quit looking at other stuff.

ETA:
I forgot what you said about the sale that Macy's/Marshall Fields is having, but didn't you say something about it being buy 1 place setting, get 1 free and that 4 place settings was going to cost you $84 or something like that? Well...this is what they have at Dillard's and it appears to be regular price. I really do love the cinnabar.

Delivery

I was tracking your package and it said it was out for delivery from Middleton, WI. I hope you get it today!

Dishes

I was looking at those dishes again and I think you are right about the white. I think I'll go with my home & garden party dishes. I really do like those and I can't quit my theme halfway through, right?

Can't Sleep

I wonder if they have these at our Kohl's? Apparently you can't get them online, but they colors seem to match the tulip prints I bought for my bedroom. Hmmm...I might have to get to Kohl's soon. They are buy one get one free right now!

Pictures

Here is the best black & white of Boomer ever.

I love this picture of Tess that I took today.

Here I am right after I put on my makeup. What do you think of the mineral foundation?

Keep in mind that the lighting was very flattering in this picture. :)

Pillows

Here's those pillows I was telling you about.

Blogging from Fran's to Say...

That we bought a bed today! It's the first time since I was living with my mom that I've had a proper headboard and footboard. Hooray!

You can see a picture of it here. It's purrrrrty.

More Dishes!

Last night I was at Wal-Mart and noticed a set of dishes that looked alot like the Home & Garden ones that I want. Much cheaper, but probably not as good quality. But I got to thinking that just because I have canisters and stuff does not mean that I have to get everything to match it. So I have been looking around and I came up with these. They are cute and have the yellow & blue which I love and I think will really go with provencial look I'm going for in my kitchen. What do you think? Will they work?

3 Weeks and Counting

3 weeks from this minute I will be on an airplane on my way to see you! I cannot wait. Although, I must admit I'm getting a little nervous. Not so much about the flight, but about all the issues with your luggage now. No liquids or gels in my carry-ons? I guess I'll have to pack all my toiletries & makeup, which is no big deal. Unless my luggage gets lost. Then Doug can't say anything about how much money I spend if I have to replace all my makeup and perfume. And isn't bonus time coming up? Hmmm...maybe I should accidentally on purpose forget my makeup! :) Speaking of money, Doug told me the other night (without actually discussing it with me) that we were each only allowed to spend $150 while we were on vacation. Now, I'm sorry, but I'm going to be on vacation! And I'm saving lots of money by not staying in a hotel and staying in your guest room. I don't think $150 will cut it! I don't plan to go crazy, but I don't want to spend the whole time going "I don't think I can do that...I'm almost out of money" like I had to do when we were in Vegas. I must discuss this matter with him further. I will get my way. On that note though, if we could do some things that maybe weren't too expensive, that would probably be a good idea (although I guess shopping doesn't have to be expesive, but then it's no fun!). Really, I don't care what we do. We could sit around and watch movies or TV the whole weekend and I know we'd still have a ball.

Six Months Earlier - Part 1

The Stan Family Diner stood on the corner of Vine and Harbor streets, eleven blocks away from the slick storefronts of South Portland. It was a squat building that sat among old brick warehouses and was covered in cracked grey stucco, broken off in chunks around the foundation. The neon sign was turned off; an aura of abandonment surrounded the diner despite the brightly lit interior. Inside, Olivia drew stars on the window, her finger erasing the condensation that had formed by the violent polarity of toasty diner air and frigid December winds.

"So, let's see..." Olivia's grandmother, Camille, sat across the Formica table, a crisp map of Portland spread out in front of her. The corner of the map was discolored from Olivia's hot chocolate, which had spilled as the waitress sat it down in front of her. "If we go straight down Harbor, we can hit McLeod's first. That's the one Bess recommended." Camille traced the route with her long, thick fingernail.

"Can we see a movie after that?" Olivia asked. Camille hadn't yet realized it, but antique shopping really wasn't Olivia's thing.

"I don't know, Livy." Camille folded the map back up and stuck it in her purse, a massive beige tasseled bag with bulging pockets. Her grandmother's bag embarrassed her. Olivia looked down at her own purse, which she'd just begun to carry. It was small and dark, barely large enough for her wallet and lip gloss. Do purses just grow as you get older?

"The traffic will be bad tonight. Full of holiday shoppers. And it’s going to turn nasty. A nor’easter’s coming."

Olivia absently picked at the edge of the wood-grain Formica, trying not to be too disappointed. She wiggled one of her nails, chipped and half painted, under the laminate. Her grandmother seldom left the house, let alone drove all the way into Portland. Olivia's fifteenth birthday, though unfortunately positioned in the year, had been occasion enough to warrant a trip into the city. The laminate gave slightly under Olivia's finger, revealing a gummy black underside.

"I know! Why don't we decorate our tree when we get home?" Camille's voice warbled a bit, excitement laced throughout. Her Christmas bell earrings were heavy, elongating her earlobe. For the first time since they'd entered the diner, Olivia was aware of the tinkle of Christmas music, just under surface of the rowdy breakfast crowd. She glanced at the tiny tree sitting on a plastic stand near the cash register; a silver tinsel garland wound crookedly up its length, the red felt tree skirt holding fast to the creases created by eleven months of storage. It had been three years since Olivia had a Christmas tree. Her dad was almost never at home. After her mother walked out, he’d left it up to Olivia to decorate. She'd put the tree up twice before deciding it was a waste of time. No one was around to enjoy it anyway.

"Sure, gran." Olivia drained the last of the hot chocolate, tipping her mug to catch the concentrated chocolate puddle at the bottom.

Book Beginning

I was just remembering how I used to send snippets from my book along to you.

Here's how my book opens:

--------------------------------
The knock came at dusk.

Olivia had just settled down in her favorite chair, the one she'd patched with duct tape colored with markers to match the worn green leather. Her dinner, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, balanced precariously on the arm of the chair; a book was cradled in her bare legs.

The knock was sharp, rattling the old, warped glass in the front door. She knew without looking who it was. They had come without their lights and sirens, knowing that she would run.

The book slid from her lap, the sandwich flipped onto the floor. Olivia was halfway up the stairs before the second knock came. She'd been preparing for this for almost six months, since that horrible day in Portland. Her fifteenth birthday had been far from happy.

Olivia's bedroom faced the street and though the sun was fading, she didn't turn on the light. A buzz of voices from below floated up and were muffled by the window, shut tight despite the thick summer air. She knelt down, pulling the small suitcase from beneath her bed. Scattered pieces of cat food bit into her knees.

"Ziggy," she called in a whisper as she peeled the cat food from her skin. "Let's go, Ziggy."

Two yellow eyes followed by a shadowed body inched into the room, hugging the door frame. Ziggy always came when called - like a dog - but hesitantly, with a cat's suspicious mind. Olivia scooped him up before he could slink away. He resisted as she guided him into his carrier, landing one good scratch on the back of Olivia's hand before she latched the door closed.

Olivia rubbed the sting from the scratch. A deep voice called her name from the lawn below.

Across the room, the crystal covered box shone in what remained of the day's light, projecting muted ribbons of color along the wall. Olivia sat Ziggy down and hurried to the box. I wish I could take it, she thought. Covered with one-hundred and two perfectly cut teardrop chandelier crystals, the box was simply too heavy to add to her suitcase. Olivia lifted the lid and grabbed the money hidden inside, shoving it into the pocket of her shorts. Forty-three dollars and sixty-seven cents at her last count. It had been hard to save money; there had been so much she hadn't realized she would need.

The bedroom window shook in its casing. The pounding was louder now, less a suggestion and more a command. Beneath it all, the sound of splitting wood echoed.

"Help me!" Olivia thought as she raced through the short hallway, her narrow hips buffeting her suitcase and cat alternately. They hadn't been as patient as she'd hoped. She needed more time.

The rope ladder was hidden beneath a quilt at the bottom of the closet in her grandmother's room. A kaleidoscope of yellow and orange polyester, Olivia's grandmother had made the quilt at age twelve. The design was hand sewn, the irregular serpentine stitches still holding - regretfully, Olivia thought - after sixty years. As she threw back the quilt, Olivia's hurried heart shattered.

The rope ladder was gone.

Kitchen Plans

I started taking down wallpaper tonight. I was just kind of randomly tearing it off and some of it came off really easily. I think that I'm going to really work on it this weekend. Becky, Desire & Amanda have all volunteered to help. Should be a fun day. Hopefully I can get Doug to get the stuff above the cabinets though. And this table & chairs set is on sale this week and I really like it. It's a little darker than I would have liked for the kitchen, but I think it might be a nice contrast. Of course, that doesn't mean we will get it, but if I catch Doug in the right mood it could happen. Maybe we could at least put it on layaway. Even regular price it really isn't a bad deal. I think I need to go and at least look at it in the store. Or maybe I just need to start shopping the garage sales. That sounds like a better idea, otherwise I won't have any money to spend when I come to see you. :( I'm sad at the thought of no money, just so you don't think I'm sad about coming to visit.

24 (23 by the time you read this) days to go!! :)

Check Your Mailbox!

Okay, I'll let the cat out of the bag. I sent you some stuff. I know, I know. You didn't want me to send you anything, but I couldn't help myself. Consider it a belated birthday/thanks for letting me stay with you next month gift. It's not much, but I hope you will enjoy what I picked out. I will let you know what part of your gift is, because you probably won't be receiving it for awhile. It is a supscription to this magazine. It says that your first issue won't arrive until November or December though...boo! The other part of your gift should arrive in 5 to 9 business days, I think. I'll be tracking it, so let me know if too much time goes by. :)

Shopping...

I'm bored, so I thought I'd do a little window shopping. What do you think of this? I have a camisole I bought last year to wear with it and I already have the dark jeans...too cute, don't you think? I also love this dress and think it would be so cute to wear to work, if I ever wore a dress to work. Too bad it would probably need some serious alterations. I'd probably need some cute brown shoes to wear with it too. Oh the horror...pleated pants are back! And of course, I'll need new sweaters for fall...what do you think of this one (that's such a Carmen color...). And there's this one. And this one. And this one...I know, I know...enough with the cardigans. I can't help it, I work in a library, darnit! Okay, this one's not a cardigan. Neither is this one...very pretty. Anyway, I'm sure you're wondering what's with all the Penney's stuff...well I have this credit card with them and um...it's easier to use that then actually have to pay cash for it! Of course, I don't have to tell you that. :) They will definitely have to increase my limit if I want to buy everything I have picked out though, this is just a few select items. I definitely need new pants for fall and those are never fun to shop for. I'm not even sure what I have from last year that still fits. I've only been wearing like 2 pairs all summer. We get to wear jeans 2 days a week and I bought a bunch of capri's (okay like 3 pairs) this year despite Doug's disapproval. I need new shoes too. Although, I'll probably just head to Payless for those. I just don't understand spending lots of money on shoes. I love a cute pair of shoes as much as the next girl, but I think I like my money somewhere besides my feet. Oh, who I am kidding...I don't like to spend alot of money on any of my clothes! You know I don't buy anything that is not on sale. Speaking of which I was in TJ Maxx yesterday. Tons of cute clothes. I didn't look too much though. I didn't want to be too tempted to buy anything. I have to save my shopping money for BFW 2006. 29 days and counting!

Who Wants To See What Misty Got For Her Birthday??

These are the flowers Doug sent me for my birthday. He also made me breakfast this morning and took me out for Chinese food tonight. Sesame Chicken...yum!

A cute candleholder from my mom & dad.

And here are the canisters I asked for that they got for me.

And they gave me this book.

Here are the two Rooster prints I got at Michael's with the giftcard Sarah gave me.

Rooster 2

And this is the gift card Desire' gave me for a 30 minute massage. :)

And I still have more birthday presents to look forward to. I am going to order some dishes. I don't think I'm going to actually get the plates & stuff this time. It is too expensive. Plus, my plates that I already have match my canisters fairly well. I am going to get Salt & Pepper Shakers and Serving Bowls to match the cannisters though. Fun stuff.

So all in all, my 26th birthday has been pretty good. And it's not just because I got great presents. I just feel very loved this year. Does that make any sense? Here's to year 26, I hope it is the best one yet! :)

Sorry I missed your call last night. I was laying in bed watching TV with the door shut and couldn't hear the phone. :( And yes I did delete the post about Doug's mom. It was too whiny for me yesterday. We're going to dinner with her Thursday night so I'm sure I'll have a story to tell when that is over.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!